County Levy Information

Senior Services Levies

Senior services levies are local property tax levies based on the fair market value of real estate. These levies support services for older adults. Levies are implemented through voter approval as a ballot issue and may be in effect for up to five (5) years. The levy must then be renewed as a ballot initiative.

With declining federal and state funds and a rapidly increasing population of older adults, senior services levies are critical to support programs and services for older adults. Personal care, homemaker services, meals on wheels, transportation and respite/adult daycare are just some of the services supported by senior services levies.

In Southwestern Ohio we are fortunate to have senior services levies in Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties. Throughout the Ohio, more than 70 percent of counties have similar levies. Council on Aging administers the Elderly Services Programs in four area counties – Butler, Clinton, Hamilton, and Warren.

November 2005, 2 Mills: With more than 900 Butler County older adults on a waiting list for services, Butler County commissioners decided to bring the levy before voters a year early. The levy passed by a 54 percent margin and generates about $14.6 million annually. The program has seen steady growth since then.

November 2001, 1.3 Mills: 57.5 percent of voters approved a renewal plus an increase which generated a total of $7.9 million per year.

November 1996, 1 Mill: The first Elderly Services Levy was approved by 58 percent of voters and generated $5 million per year.

For more information about the Elderly Services Levy and Program in Butler County, read the 2007 Butler County Elderly Services Annual Report.

Clermont Senior Services, Inc. administers the levy program in Clermont County. For more information about the services provided through Clermont Senior Services, Inc., visit the Web site at www.clermontseniors.com.

November 2007: Levy wins big victory
On November 6, nearly 70 percent of Clinton County voters approved a 1.5-mill tax levy to fund the Elderly Services Program. The new levy – a .5-mill increase - raises about $1.3million a year to help older adults stay safe and independent in their homes. First approved in 1998, the levy program has helped more than 1,200 Clinton County seniors since it began. The increase will allow the program to serve more people. At the end of 2007, nearly 100 were on a waiting list for services.

May 1998: The first Elderly Services Levy was approved May 1998 by 60 percent of voters in Clinton County and generate more than $2.4 million in five years.

November 2007: Levy wins big victory
On November 6, nearly 70 percent of Hamilton County voters approved a 1.29-mill tax levy to fund the Elderly Services Program. The new levy – a renewal plus a .13-mill increase - raises about $21 million a year to help older adults stay safe and independent in their homes. Voters have approved the levy since the program began in 1992. Today, Hamilton County ESP serves over 8,000 clients a year, as well as helping their families and caregivers.

November 2002: Nearly 60 percent of county voters approved a 1.16 mill levy that generated $18.2 million a year for five years.

November 1997: More than 65 percent of Hamilton County voters approved a renewal levy with a .02 mill increase. The renewal levy generated $15 million a year for five years.

November 1992: The first Elderly Services Levy was approved by 57 percent of voters in Hamilton County. It generated $12.8 million a year for five years.

November 2006: After levy victory, program grows and ends waiting list
After voters approved a 1.21-mill senior services tax levy in November 2006, care managers for the Warren County Elderly Services Program wasted no time in enrolling people who had been on a waiting list. The list had grown to nearly 300 people at the time of the levy. By spring of 2007, the list was gone. The levy was approved by 55 percent of voters and will raise $6 million a year for five years.

May 2002: The first Elderly Services levy is passed in Warren County by 60 percent of voters. The levy generated $3.9 million per year for five years.